Babenzien v. Town of Fenton
A plaintiff was injured on Fuller Road in the Town of Fenton when a low-hanging wire, owned by railroad companies, struck him. The day prior, Town of Fenton employees witnessed a wire break at the same location but only notified the railroad via voicemail without further action. The Supreme Court denied the Town's motion for summary judgment, citing actual notice despite a lack of prior written notice as required by local law. The Appellate Division reversed, ruling that the Town was entitled to summary judgment because the plaintiff failed to establish an exception to the prior written notice requirement. The court found no evidence that the Town's employees created the dangerous condition, thus barring the plaintiff's claim against the Town.